WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Operation PROM will be hosting its 10th Anniversary Prom Gala on Thursday, Jan. 23 at “Life, The Place to Be,” in Ardsley. Guests are encouraged to wear Prom dresses and tuxedos at this Prom themed celebration. Tickets are available on the Operation PROM website: www.OperationPROM.org.

The red carpet celebrity call time is from 6:30-7:00 p.m. The event will be hosted by New Rochelle native, CBS 2 New York’s Tony Aiello. Special guest speaker is Emily Martinez of Yonkers, who was an Operation PROM dress recipient in 2010. Emily, now a senior at the University at Albany, will speak about her experience receiving a free Prom dress.

Operation PROM Founder and president Noel D’Allacco will have the honor of crowning reality star Jacqueline Laurita, from Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey, as its 2014 Celebrity Prom Queen. A surprise celebrity Prom King will also be crowned.

“No student should be denied the experience of going to his or her high school prom because they can’t afford it,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “Westchester County through our Department of Social Services is proud to partner with Operation Prom for another year.” The 2014 Prom season will be the 7th year that Operation PROM has partnered with the Westchester County Department of Social Services.

In 2013, Operation PROM raised and fully funded the Senior Prom for the Channel View High School in Rockaway, Queens, who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. For the 2014 Prom season, money raised through the 10th Anniversary Gala and other fundraising opportunities will allow Operation PROM to once again select a high school in financial need and fund their Prom.

Operation PROM covers the greater New York City areas with 6 chapters in the tri-state area and 8 chapters across the country.

Operation PROM is a national 501c3 not-for-profit organization that provides resources, opportunity and mentoring to students in need. Services are available to children in financial need, those who are homeless, sick, or disabled. School supplies and scholarships are available in addition to our regular donations of Prom dresses and tuxedos. To date, Operation PROM has helped thousands of students across the U.S. attend their Prom at little or no cost. To request a free Prom dress or tuxedo, students must be recommended by their guidance counselor and meet the requirements such as a severe financial need, and the student should be passing all of their classes.

For more information on Operation PROM, its chapters, how to donate or obtain a dress or to get involved, visit www.OperationPROM.org